vega banjo identification vega banjo identification

Barry. Jim, Jim -Thanks for your query. Hope this helps and all the best in 2019, Barry. The Pro-5 does not appear in the 1976 Vega Martin catalogue. Barry. The highly ornate Vega Vox IV banjo with serial number #1969 was the final officially documented banjo manufactured by C. F. Martin in Nazareth, PA. , circa 1978-79. (#26) Dr. Ron about " Vega Vox V: The Vega Martin Apogee of 4 String Banjos", A Lone (Pre Vega Martin ) Banjo at the Art Museum, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14ES67V1VHbMR-GfbQpvWWGD1RUJrtyTv?usp=sharing. These days, my guess is that this 5 stringer is worth about $1500 or more depending on condition. It appears in the transitional Vega/Martin product list of 1970 and lastly in the 1972 Vega Banjo Catalog (The CF Martin Organization). The fascinatingwooden pie (sectioned) resonator is probably inherited from the Boston era Vega inventory. The differentiating feature is the deeper resonator than the VIP/Pro II/Osborne/Scruggs Mk II/Bobby Joe Fenster standard resonator modelsnot quite as deep as the Vox and not top tension (standard hook and nut with Pro II flanges). Buy VEGA Banjos and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! Galaxy apparently went bankrupt around 1984 and vanished from the financial scene. Lastly, the banjo could be cleaned-up and refitted at a local music shop, or referred by the shop to a nearby luthier for repairs; and you would have a workable starter banjo for taking some exploratory music lessons. All the very best from the BRC, Barry, Thank you, Barry. Let me know if you might have any questionsI really appreciate the work youre doing here. 10" Rim. Data zakoczenia 2022-09-02 - cena 20,90 z Barry, Samantha Thanks for the extensive and helpful photos of your above banjo. Landis- Thanks for your post. Its paper label says it was made by Vega of Boston, part of the CF Martin Co. but it does not have the CF Martin decal on the back of the peg-head. It looked like it belonged on a Gibson. This fascinating collection of vintage stringed instruments chronicles luthier C.F. George Gruhn might also know. It originally came with an arm rest, rotomatic tuning pegs, and a plastic head. Bill Keith Stainless Steel D-Tuners, for 2nd & 3rd strings. Many thanks to you and your friend Ron for putting me straight. It is not seen in the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin catalogue. 1833 decal is absent from the inner rim. There are some folklore stories why the Seeger banjo was discontinued. Then by ink its written Folk Ranger. Great sound and in excellent condition. Categories . This uniquestyle resonator was verypopular for many years, and it still hasvalue as a vintage part. It has the famous Vega `Tu-Ba-Phone` tone ring and notched tension hoop both made of bell brass, an ebony fingerboard, and a 10 ply maple rim. Enjoy. Barry. Rob- Thank you for your kind comments about the BRC website, You are a lucky guy to have two Vega Martin 5-stringers, both made in Nazareth, PA. And recently I installed a new Elite head, which made a wonderful difference. In May of 1970, C.F. The Vega Company reportedlyintroduced the first wooden sectioned pie resonator in mid 1923 for their Vega Professional 4-stringer. Buckbee(1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. . Im not very knowledgable about banjos so please forgive my terminology. One of the best known Kay electric guitars during the 1950s was the K-161 "Thin Twin", most visibly used by blues artist Jimmy Reed. According to the factory logbook, banjo # 481 was one of eleven PS-5 banjos made per Shop Order # 2155 by C.F. Wow! Fairbanks and Vega banjo numbers are consecutive, and have no DIRECT relationship to the model, or production date. Can you tell me what year it was made and by whom? In general, the Boston made Pete Seeger long neck banjos seem to command a greater collectors` interest than the ones manufactured in Pennsylvania. They made both tenor/plectrum and five-string models. My estimate is that your vintage instrument is worth $1500-1700. What A great and informative site .. However, its a beautifully crafted banjo with a great sound. Can you tell me more like age and value? # 1713? Its also featuring the two small hexagon bolts inside the rim (Quite handy for fine-centering the neck! I appreciate having some of the history around my banjo and will cherish it even more knowing it is somewhat rare. The melody banjo was the equivalent of a 4 string mandolin banjo. The Pro-5 model had an improved bell brass tone ring (alas, not silver) with exclusively designed audio apertures, a thick 10 ply wood rim, a double-tension neck rod, a notched brass tension hoop, nickel plated parts, a mahogany shaded finish, and white binding. I admire the amount of effort youve put into helping the community of banjo enthusiasts I ve got serial # 129 , a 22 fret ,27 scale plectrum in for a set up..any info.about date of manufacture,potential value, and other pertinent details would be appreciatedthanks.. BRC Banjo Replies:July 14, 2016 at 1:13 pm, Darryl- Thank you for your kind comments about the BRC website. It has the original hardshell case also with no markings. The open back Folk Wonder 5-stringer does not appear in the 1976 Vega/Martin catalogue where the Vega Wonder resonator series is still advertised featuring a brass tone ring and ebony fingerboard. My estimate would be that this rare and exotic bird might fetch around $1800 or more these days. 403.80. The metal parts were chrome-plated. vega banjo identification. Unless refinished, the decal on the back alsomakes it post-1972. Hope this helps. CL. A previous owner had deeply scratched a Social Security number into its heel. I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . - ORDERS OVER $199 SHIPPED TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S. Add to cart SKU: 2959 Categories: 5-String Openback Banjos, Banjos, Vega Description Additional information Reviews (1) Shipping, Returns & Exchanges About this Banjo Again, thanks for your query and photos. I was lucky enough to buy one but, as my music and and the type of music I had to play to get work changed, I hardly played this, near mint condition, banjo. Cobra hooks first appear circa 1881 on Fairbanks & Cole banjos. With hard case. The construction features were changing on the Vox IV (most different from catalog images), but at this point Vega was still using dowel stick (rather than metal coordinator rods) to attach and adjust the neck, and adjustable truss rods in the neck were not added until 1955the early prewar type-construction was desired by many collectors. The tone ring really had me confused! Martin briefly built a lightweight tenor banjo between 1923-26 to compete with Vega and other manufacturers whose heavier and more popular banjos had greater tone, volume, and sales. Dave- Thank you for your kind words about the website and the narrative about your Vega Vox IV tenor banjo. Well, this is a hybrid banjo, and doubtful that is a Galaxy banjo. 28 de mayo de 2018. Your banjo is an off shoot of the classic No. Hope this helps, and thanks again for your post. Cited in the Vega price list of 1971, the last one VM published, the retail price tag was $488 without case. From the BRC, Barry. The rim is 10 ply maple with a top metal tone ring, nickel-plated metal parts, and a shaded mahogany finish. In my files, the PS-5 is seen in a Vega (Boston) flyer in 1961 where it lists for $309. Martin was winding-down its banjo production, the metal engraving was subcontracted to Liberty Banjos. FREE SHIPPING! In my files, the PS-5 model first appears in a 1961 Vega product flyer from Boston, but it may have been manufactured there starting in 1958. Thanks for the great information on this page. ). vega banjo identificationvega banjo identification January 31, 2022 . I have a vegavox 4 tenor banjo by Martin . Many thanks and keep pickin & grinning. As Barry indicates, a photo of the yellow sticker will be helpful here. cscl star vessel flag autism and narcissism differences. A couple of years ago I started to develop increased interest in clawhammer style, and with all the lessons available online nowadays, finally Im finding myself back on the tracks. You banjo parts were probably shipped in 1977 to Japan for assembly where all serial number assignments were in disarray. Hope this helps, and I am sending you the circa 1978 C. F. Martin Tubaphone model promotional flyer . Its a Vega VIP with the Martin Co. logo on the back of the peg head. Thank you so much!! It is a Vega Martin model VW-5 called a Vega Wonder and sometimes referred to as the Wonder-5. Banjos were simply stamped 'The Vega Company' From 1913, the firm started using style designations instead of names: * The banjorine (or banjeaurine) was a 5 string banjo, but with a shorter neck like a banjolin It would have been around this time that Tenor Banjos first appeared, as the Tango craze hit America between 1910 and 1914. I own a Vega VIP fivestring banjo, with serial number 130056. Tim, Tim- Thanks much for your query. No M130097 Model: Wonder 5 St. Barry. C.F. After 20 years, the wear and tear on a refinished instrument may reduce the value further. This is a super site for banjo players and owners. The back of the headstock is blank. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. It is not to be confused with the metal pie plate or hubcap resonator manufactured by Elton in the 1930`s. I actually picked up a banjo that had a resonator that was sitting on the shelf in that 1970-72 period as Martin was transitioning and shutting down the factory there. Allen screws at the neck/pot junction and a tube connecting rod (not shown) are design features from the 1960`s in Boston . Martin, and the line was discontinued in 1975. Flanked by interactive faculty at a northeastern banjo camp, the BRC founderproudly shows-off his Vega VIP banjo built in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1975. I cant remember exactly when I bought it but I think it was around the early 70s. Per my files, the Pete Seeger long neck first appears in a Vega flyer in 1961 for $309. Your PS-5 Pete Seeger long neck # M-130259 was assembled in Nazareth in early 1971 per Shop Order 2012. Please try again. Both the VW-5 and FW-5 appear in the 1961 Vega ((155 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA) catalogue but featuring a 5 ply rim in the early design. Great information and even better advice. It was advertised to feature a rosewood veneered rim and resonator trimmed in abalone pearl like the C.F. Just found this wonderful site. A few months later, the old six digit number system was replaced with new sequence starting with #2 and progressing sequentially to a four digit number over the ensuing years. Other Banjo-Related Topics Collector's Corner ARCHIVED TOPIC: Vega banjo identification Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. Perhaps a bit more cutting. The evolution of the Professional model dates back to the Boston 1963 Vega catalogue that featured the first Pro model banjo that looked like an inexpensive version of the Earl Scruggs model that Vega offered at that time. These three top-of-the-line instruments were sent to Japan for assembly. Martin Museum collection. The VIP-T is a nice mid range banjo model, and I have a VIP-5 which has a pleasant mid range tonal response. Your peghead and resonator are clearly marked with C.F. I then discovered my Vega VIP Martin 1972 model #1766, a beautiful banjo which I have played for the past 12 years. Barry. The larger connecting rod inside the pot is a spare part inherited from the Boston days of the Vega company. Of note, the PS-5 had the `famous Vega Tube-a-phone tone ring rim`, a 3 piece ebony fingerboard, pearl dots, a neck-tension rod, nickel-plated rim parts, a shaded mahogany neck, and a 10 ply maple rim. !Gary, Gary- Thanks for your query. It has no rod in the drum. Vega Banjos for Sale, New and Used Search Agent: Get notified when new ads meet your criteria! After the original owner, Jack Mistretta, passed away in 1998, this banjo found its way to Japan, where noted jazz-banjoist, Ken Aoki, featured it for many years in his touring act. Your instrument SN 448 is one of 11 Pete Seeger extra long neck (PS-5) models manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1973 per Shop Order 2153. These data were generously provided to the BRC founder in 2000 by the family owned Martin Guitar department of history. I received a letter(martin memo) along with my banjo covering head adjustment, plastic Vegalon heads, string action, bridge and nut and neck rod adjustment dated 8/26/71also a warranty card with the phone number 215-759-2837ask for miketelling me to use string type V750.having wanted one all my adult life, this banjo is the pinnacle of my banjo collecting desires. I have 3 Vega banjos , 1963 Earl Scruggs model A 10921(Scruggs ST-5, handwritten in red ink under that on yellow label) which I played for 23 years, she has a very mellow sound. The other 9 were likely shipped to Canada or Japan for assembly after 1977. Family owned since 1972, Elderly Instruments is a music store specializing in new, used & vintage guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and more. While the Martin factory in Nazareth, PA, retooled to build banjos, interim yellow stickers were affixed to the inner rims of Boston banjos citing the merger and identifying the model of the instrument (which was inscribed by pen). Have a restful weekend and be well, Barry. This item has been sold. Your banjo may be a hybrid from that era. thanks for the very informative web site Search online for Earl Scruggs Vega Banjo Images, and you will see a photo of him with his endorsed Vega instrument bearing the signature square inlays on the neck that offered its distinctive stage appearance. Your Vega Martin VIP-5 with SN 845 was made in Nazareth, PA, in 1974 as one of four manufactured per Shop Order #2193, and it sold for $556 without case in the 1971 price list (after which VM did not publish recommended retail prices). C.F. Your F-VIP (Folk-Very Important Player) banjo #1456 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1975 in a lot of 3 such instruments per Shop Order 2274. John- Thank-you for the detailed photos. The tiny screws adjacent to it are an adaptation by the Vega franchise to afford fine-tuning of the side-to-side alignment of the neck. I dont know much about banjos because Im a guitar man myself. There were several old tenor and plectrum Martin neck blanksfor sale a few years ago, but it looks to be factory made condition anddoubt that would be likely a source. Martin workshop log book, your V-45-5 serial number 327 banjo was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in early 1973 per Shop Order 2138. C.F. Just bought a martin-vega banjo from an old man in North Carolina. From the BRC, Barry. Go online to `Images for Vega Folk Ranger banjo and enjoy (but don`t confuse your FR-5 with its cousin the Folk Wonder model FW-5). Just found you today . Item # 9126. The retail price for this banjo in the 1970 catalogue was $488 without case, and Martin did not published price lists after 1971. About 20 years ago I had it re-fretted , re-finished , and the gold re-plated . Heres a link to a .zip file you can download. Thanks, I have really enjoyed reading the material on this site.RowdyArizona, Rowdy- Thanks for your kind words about the website. In excellent condition and ready to play. In those years there was not a college student who didn't dream of owning a Vega Pete . The label on the peg head reads Martin & Co and inside the rim reads Martin & Co and the number 993. How much Galaxy (or Martin) produce new parts vs. assemble old stock bought from Vega? Knowing the history of an instrument adds so much to the enjoyment of owning and playing it. Greg Deering acquired rights to the Vega brand name in 1989 and restored the banjo line to greatness. Not a fancy top-line model, but still built with the typical extremely high quality components and a simple but . From the BRC, Barry. The #24 on the tone ring is probably an assembly feature to separate the V-41 parts from its upscale gold-plated cousin the V-45 top of the line banjo. Ernie Ball 5-String Medium Stainless Steel Banjo Strings, 10-10 Gauge (P02309) Check Price at Amazon. Also, Deering uses a 3-ply 1/2 rock maple rim, compared to the 5/8 10-ply rim typically found in most Martin Nazareth produced Voxes in the 1970s. Really sounds and pays great. Linda- Thanks much for your query and hearing about your three vintage banjos. Your instrument SN 999 was one of five VIP-5 (Very Important Player) banjos was made in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1974 per Shop Order # 2212. Of historical interest, when Martin initiated its own four digit serial number system in 1972 to replace the Vega six digit system, banjos SN 2-5 were the V-45(5) model. Your T-2 instrument SN 1603 was one of five Tu-Ba-Phone 5 string banjos manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in 1976 shortly before the big luthier strike that compelled C. F. Martin to ship parts overseas for assembly. Joshua- Send me some detailed photos of your banjo inside and out. Thanks you for this great site. Subscribe to get free banjos tips, hear about new products, special offers, and more! Can you tell me about it? Hi! Still as wonderful as the day I got it. These were followed by banjos #9-14 which were Vega Vox-4-P plectrums per Shop Order 2088. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. After a loooong wait I finally got it in 1971 . I was told by someone at C. F. Martin that they only made 11 of them ( mine is ser # 7 ) . ejemplos de hombres perezosos en la biblia; social juventus porto; china eastern trip report; Hello world! The Martin log book in Nazareth, PA, begins with #130248 later in 1971. Have a great weekend as well. The serial number is found on a white tag on the inside of the resonator or if you have an openback banjo, it is a smaller white tag on the inside of the rim. Thanks for your reply. Hope this helps and best wishes from the BRC, Barry, Gary- Thanks for your query. Just came across your site, I was wondering if you would be able to help identify what model Martin Vega banjo that I have, I believe it is from the 70s. Do you know anything of the type of banjo, year of manufacturing and value today? S.C.- Thank you for your query to the BRC. ampleforth college redundancies. Retail price was $1300.00 ; I paid $900.00 . Also, I can send pictures, if this would help, or just be fun! vega banjo identification. Any ideas on contacts for such a beast? Micky- Thanks for your narrative on your Pete Seeger long neck. Greg also originally hand made the round hole Tubaphone tone rings, but now they have a fairly well honed machine manufacturing process. Wooden pot resonator. It is great to hear from someone who actually visited the Vega factory in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. In the Martin price list of 1971, it is listed at $488 without case. As C.F. The C.F. Isgho Votre ducation notre priorit . used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; vega banjo identification; By . This is a beautiful banjo! By the mid 1960`s, it was usually manufactured with a connecting rod. Your banjo appears to be a hybrid assembled sometime in the 1980`s after C. F. Martin sold the Vega franchise overseas to the Galaxy conglomerate in 1979. In the 1970 transitional Vega/Martin banjo catalogue, their Pro model line is conspicuosly absent; and instead, is seen a nearly identical twin Bobby Joe Fenster style banjo named after a fictitious nerdy folk musician invented by Martin in 1967 as an insider marketing joke. The Wonder model had a metal tone ring, white fingerboard binding, a heavy notched tension hoop, a 10 ply rim, geared tuners, a 3 piece maple neck, a blackwood fretboard, pearl dots, a resonator with 4 section metal tone flanges, nickel-plated parts, a plastic head, an armrest and shaded mahogany finish. Your comments about the color tone differences of Vega/Boston vs. Martin/Nazareth resonator banjos are curious, and I do not have an accurate answer for it. Tom- Thank you for the prompt and detailed photos of your instrument. Vega serial #s between 99369 and 99686, when the switch from the Vega stamp to printed yellow labels seems to have occured. The Life & Times of the Pete Seeger 5-string Folk Banjo - 1958 - 1970. I bought my Vega PS-5 S/N 1046 new in, I believe, late summer of 1974 through Miller Music in Lawton, OK. Dog-bone Tubaphone tone ring, Grover milk bottle guitar tuners. Your mellowed 1963 SR-5 sold for $400 in the 1963 Vega catalogue, and it was advertised to feature a brilliant tone back then. My aunt gave me a Martin Vega banjo serial number 892 to see what it was worth since she is not internet savy and looking to sell it. aluminum variety, one slim one large, with the larger one closer to the head. It sounds like your banjo is maybe a hybrid made overseas after 1976-1977 when Vega Martin parts were shipped to Japan and later Canada for assembly. The build quality is quite immaculate, both wood and hardware. Give it a try and good luck. Accordingly, 1970-1971 was a year of manufacturing transition from Boston to Nazareth. Learning how to play the banjo is no different. Best wishes with your VIP and thanks again for your post, Barry. According to the C.F. From the BRC, Barry. A fabulous example of one of the finest banjos ever made, the Vega 5-string Pete Seeger long-necked folk banjo, produced as a result of the folk craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The description of your banjo serial number 916 is curious, and I will offer my theory about the instrument per the information given. If you need photos I can take a few and send them to you on a subsequent time. I play it weekly (weakly) on Monday nights at restaurant in Anaheim, California and love its sound. Martin workshop logbook, open back Tu-Ba-Phone 5-string banjo SN 1707 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1976. Jack. gamefowl breeders in texas; 0 comments. Below are more Letters from the BRC Archives. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). Thank you so very much for this information! I live near Portland, Oregon. The long-neck No. Martin also made 1976 model D-76 guitars to partner the banjo. It was a student model that Eddie convinced long time friend and Vega owner/president to make positioned as a lower cost alternative to the Vox I/Professional IIit was an upgrade over the Little Wonder/Ranger banjos. Thanks for letting us see this fascinating and unique instrument. Best of luck and thanks for your query, Barry. Be safe, be well, keep on picking. Serial number assignment and record keeping fell into disarray from 1977 to 1979. No markings saying Martin but looks identical to fancy ones I saw in an old Martin sales flyer. Bob. 1969, probably initially at the 40 Leon Street factory the Needham Heights (just before the sale to Martin). Martin began shipping parts overseas for assembly. I have a Vega V.I.P. rocket and teresa administrative leave; The five number labels were found in banjos made from 1962 through February 1964, involving serial numbers A10300 through A12400. fender american professional ii vs ultra. (They are NOT a 'coded' format.) Your VW-5 model Vega Wonder banjo SN 721 was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in late 1973 per Shop Order 2181. As your banjo bears no C.F. If you could give me your thought about what its worth, I would appreciate it. It is a somewhat rare bird, as C.F. Although a mystery to me, this top of the line resonator banjo was introduced by C.F. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. The Vega White Oak Banjo is ideal for achieving the classic clawhammer and folk, with bright tone and distinct note clarity and weighs less than 6 lbs! Have a bunch of pics I can forward, any particular area to focus on that would help? it in 1970 through a music store in Norwich , Ct run by Cliff Tidd . Thank You Fingerboard engraved pearl inlays in the ebony were going through a transition (modernization) as well, from very elaborate designs that they used since the 1920s to to simplified block styles. Location. Your Vega Martin instrument SN 231 is a Wonder model VW-P (plectrum ) 4 stringer made in Nazareth in late 1972 per Shop Order #2121 just after production was transferred from Boston to the re-tooled Pennsylvania factory. This instrument was a special order for banjoist, Jack Mistretta, from Grand Rapids, Michiganwho happened to be a friend of Eddie Peabody. The earliest reported is F&C #1000. Deering (California) now owns the Vega brand name and produces a `Little Wonder` and `Old Tyme Wonder` 5-stringer not unlike your instrument. Good luck and thanks again for your post. It did not have a tone ring or simply a steel ring like the Wonder, to keep the cost down. 26" Scale Length Serial: #21601 Condition: Excellent Case: gig bag Price: $Reduced Price $1395.00 Read More Gatcomb | Lansing Model #325 Index: 10566 Maker: Gatcomb Year: 1890's Notes: The Banjo Rehabilitation Center archives contain the serial numbers and dates of manufacture of the Vega-Martin banjos made in Nazareth, PA, during the 1970`s. It was manufactured in Nazareth, PA, in mid 1973 per shop order # 2154. TH, Tom- Thanks for your query. These days, the banjo would probably fetch around $1000 if marketed online. The rim and shoe screws/washer are likely homemade/cut down and tone ring is not Galaxy stock, but more of a Gibson knockoff. Barry. Check Price at Amazon. Mark- Thank you for the very helpful series of photos and your kind comments about the website. He uses the one piece neck design typical of the other Deering models with the SN stamped on the back of the peghead. According to the C.F. Most likely, your banjo has a paddle peghead still with Kluson tuners, block MOP engraved fingerboard inlays, and an updated resonator design with black bindings and a fleur-de-lis added under the engraved star De-Luxe Vegavox on the back (brand new on the 1963-model). 721 which I have had a number of years.